Fuschillo/sweeney Bill to Expand Broad Hollow Bioscience Park at Farmingdale State College Signed by Governor

-Expected to Bring Hundreds of High-Tech Jobs to the Area-

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) today announced that legislation they sponsored to create hundreds of new jobs by expanding the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park (BHBP) at Farmingdale State College has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.  

The law, which allows Farmingdale State College to enter into lease agreements to expand BHBP, is expected to create a total of 787 direct and indirect jobs and provide an annual payroll of approximately $50 million for the region. 

“This law will result in a tremendous investment into Long Island’s economy. The Broad Hollow Bioscience Park is a proven economic development tool which has created jobs, helped new companies grow, and provided opportunities to students. Continuing its growth will create hundreds of new jobs and tens of millions of dollars in new revenue for Long Island’s economy at a time when both are sorely needed. I thank Governor Cuomo for working together with us to make this crucial economic development initiative a reality,” said Senator Fuschillo. 

“This is the prescription to help heal Long Island’s economy.  This new law brings us one step closer to making Long Island a leader of the biotechnology industry.  In these difficult economic times, creating high paying, permanent jobs, is paramount.  This law will help energize the local economy and give Farmingdale State College students the opportunity to enter this growing field through internships, research and collaboration.  Thank you Governor Cuomo for signing this bill into law,” said Assemblyman Sweeney. 

BHBP is a biotechnology research park developed on the campus of Farmingdale State College in conjunction with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which is widely known as one of the premiere research institutions on genetics in the world. BHBP was created under a law authored by Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Sweeney. 

BHBP’s anchor tenant, OSI Pharmaceuticals, has held a strategic partnership with Farmingdale State College since 2002 to operate a high tech bioscience facility at BHBP on campus. In addition to economic development, this partnership resulted in tremendous educational benefits as well. Farmingdale State College now offers a bioscience degree program and BHBP provides internships and scholarships for students to take advantage of.  

“Thanks to Governor Cuomo's support, this bill ensures that Broad Hollow Bioscience Park will flourish and provide meaningful opportunities for the next generation of scientists--both great advances for Long Island. In addition, thanks to the efforts of Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Sweeney, this legislation greatly strengthens our efforts to make sure that a leading biotech firm will remain on Long Island.  OSI/Astellas will grow its research operations here, contribute to the economic prosperity of the region, and support the growth of our bioscience program on the campus," said Dr. Hubert Keen, Farmingdale State College President. 

Last year, OSI Pharmaceuticals was acquired by a multinational corporation, Astellas Pharma Inc., one of the world’s foremost pharmaceutical companies. As a result of OSI’s previous success at Farmingdale State College, Astellas is looking to expand OSI’s presence at BHBP to nearly 40 acres. This law will allow them to do that. 

“We’d like to thank Governor Cuomo, as well as, Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman Sweeney for their support of S.3536/A.5664, which was designed to support the residents of the State of New York and the local bio-science community by enhancing the economic and educational opportunities on Long Island,” said Naoki Okamura, chief executive officer, OSI Pharmaceuticals. “Astellas and OSI Pharmaceuticals are excited about the many possibilities, including our potential future growth at the site, that will result from this new strategic partnership between OSI, the University and the State of New York.”

            "This law puts Broad Hollow Bioscience Park in a position to be a long-term contributor in the development of Long Island's biotech industry, leading to new jobs, new revenue, and new opportunities for Long Island. It is also a major step towards ensuring that our anchor tenant, OSI pharmaceuticals, can remain here and grow their operations. I thank Governor Cuomo, Senator Fuschillo, and Assemblyman Sweeney for their support," said George LaRosa, Board Chair, Broad Hollow Bioscience Park. 

Once the project is complete, Broad Hollow Bioscience Park will serve as an incubator facility for small, bio-tech companies, a move which could spur the creation of more jobs and benefits to students.

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